Are you wondering how to make the most of supervision? Do you have a fear you are ‘doing’ it wrong? Do you feel overwhelmed by the thought you do not know what you are doing? You may be pleased to know you are not alone. This practical and reflective course is designed to support counsellors, psychotherapists, and mental health practitioners in developing the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to make the most of clinical supervision. Whether you’re newly qualified, in training, or a seasoned professional, this course will help you become a more active, empowered, and collaborative supervisee.
Good supervision is essential for ethical, effective practice – but being a skilled supervisee is just as important. This course explores how to approach supervision with purpose, communicate effectively with your supervisor, and use the space for growth, support, challenge, and accountability.
Training as counsellors and psychotherapists always involves a supervisory relationship and when we train our supervisor may have been allocated, rather than selected. Additionally, in early placements, supervision often takes place in groups, with a short time to present our work and little room for developing a supervisory relationship. This workshop offers you the opportunity to explore and understand what is possible and realistic in supervision, and how to develop an understanding of what to look for when working with a supervisor. This will involve an exploration of different aspects of supervision from the supervisees’ experience.
We will reflect on the reality of supervision, the opportunities for being 'in' a ‘good’ supervisory relationship versus ‘doing’ supervision, and how to develop a realistic supervisory relationship that supports you, your work and your professional life. We will explore individual versus group supervision; power dynamics and shame in a supervisory relationship; the influence of your previous educational experiences; being-in versus doing supervision; key markers for a good supervisory relationship; CPD; ethics, and the role of professional supervision in the development of your practice.
Expect to take away some actionable points, a developed sense of self in a supervisory relationship, and ways of challenging yourself to realise your full potential as a supervisee.
This workshop is aimed at anyone who wants to learn about themselves in supervision. You could be about to enter supervision, or currently in supervision with some questions for yourself about some aspects of the work. You may be considering how to get more from the supervision you are in, or are considering whether or not to change your current supervisor.
This workshop could be particularly useful for students about to graduate and considering engaging in a new supervisory relationship.
A basic understanding or overview of the purpose of supervision is required.
Please bring your curiosity, your self awareness, a willingness to challenge yourself and a method for making notes.
By the end of this course, participants will recognise what makes supervision effective and collaborative and feel more confident in bringing difficult or vulnerable material to their supervisor. You may consider further CPD and/or more advanced Counselling courses.